Franklin's Long SMA Ties Earn it Success

Separately managed accounts have become the hip product in the financial services industry in the past few years, with many traditional mutual fund firms now looking to penetrate the space. But one fund firm, Franklin Templeton, has been at it for years, and its deep distribution relationships and product breadth has enabled the company to garner $4.65 billion in assets. Money Management Executive Associate Editor Kevin Burke sat down with Franklin Templeton Private Client Group President and Chief Executive Officer Kent Strazza to talk about how his firm's experience in the field and strong fixed-income reputation enables Franklin to deliver a quality managed account product.

MME: Many mutual fund firms have come into the managed account space in the last few years. Your firm, however, has been there since 1979. Does that give you a tactical advantage?